The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1887-10-04
THEIR SILVER WEDDING.
The Pleasant Surprise rendered
to the Rev. and Mrs. HI.
G.. Jackson.
Chicago News, Sept. %.

When the Rev. III. G.. Jackson of the
Centenary Methodist church awoke yester-
day morning and noticed that il was the
22d day of September it Immediately &C.
CURED to him that this was the twenty fifth
anniversary of his wedding day. He men,
toned the fact to Mrs. Jackson, bnt no
thought of telling any of their friends en-
tered the heads of either of them. Last
Sunday DR.. Jackson had resd among the
usual announcements from the pulpit, a
notice that a sociable would take place
next Thursday evening. When ne and Mrs.
Jackson stepped into the church parlors
early last evening they were surprised at
the unusual number of guests present al
that hour. If they had glanced behind
the platform In the lecture-room they
might have seen the floral figures 1852
1887" and if not, they might have noticed
that most of the congregation were suffer
ing from their efforts to suppress some
thing. Then, too, Bishop Fowler was
present, and DR.. Jackson might have
known there was something up. But he
remained unsuspecting until shortly before
8 O'Clock, when everybody was summoned
10 the platform in the lecture-room.
After a piano solo by Miss S. w. Hay
man. the venerable DR.. E. Stone assembled
the platform and invited DR.. and Mrs.
Jackson to take seats there next to Bishop
Fowler. Continuing, DIR. Stone said, SOL
emily: owe have something to say to
you, DIR. and Mrs. Jackson, and Mr..
Burke, a lawyer in the congregation, will
say it."
The remark caused a smile among the
audience, and as the pastor and his help.
mate arose to face Mr.. Burke, DIR. Jackson
exclaimed dts not a divorce, is il "
In his most solemn and digni6ed man
ner Dir. Burke began his opening argu
ment. Usually it is your place to speak,"
he said, turning to DR.. and Mrs. Jackson,
sand it is our delight tn listen, but now,
mission. We wish to speak a few words to
you directly from the heart, Two years
ago you came to us stranger. You have
not only opened the doors of the church,
but you have opened the door to our
hearts. | voice the sentiments of all
when / say that your sermons are direct
and practical and have done us much
good. Mrs. Jackson, the strangers at our
gates know your hand and you have al
ways been engaged with the ladies of the
church in every good work. For twenty
five years you two have Continued In your
united walk, and the members of this con,
gregation desire to show their feelings on
this anniversary of your marriage"
Mr.. Burke then handed TO DR.. Jackson
a basket handsomely decorated with flow
ers and containing 100 silver dollars, bright
and shining as they come from the mint.
To Mrs. Jackson he handed the silk for
dress, together with silk purse knit by
Mrs. Shelton, So years of age, the Oldest
person In the congreg alton. Ii contained
the money necessary 10 finish and trim the
dress. Mrs. jackson Was also handed two
sets Of silver spoons-One the gift of Mrs.
J. A Packard and the other of the cOngre
CATION. The children of the Sunday school
had sent an elegant silver napkin ring.
"May you 60 together to the golden and
even to the diamond wedding" said Dir.
Burke, in conclusion.
Brethren and sisters" responded Dr.
Jackson, 81 believe Pm worse scared than
| vas twenty-five years ago. Laughter.
| am totally surprised, though you may
think I'm prepared for this because I've
had twenty-five years to get ready for it.
When saw the people coming in earlier
than is usual at socisbles tonight thought
it was because We had baited our traps
With cake and ice cream. Laughter.
If could appropriate to my
self all of Mr.. Burke's happy COM
pliments should be pulled up with pride !;
but can't do it, 30 I'll turn them all over
to Mrs Jackson, the popular member OF
the firm. Laughter L was thinking of
this day .twenty-fveyesrs ago. Wew mar
ried on Monday morning by a justice Of
the peace, and it wasn't q runaway match
either. guess I'll have to explain to you
as I've often explained to friends before.
We didn't have a Methodist preacher to
marry us because they had all gone to the
conference. So we had the knot tied BY
Mr.. Clark, her father, who was a Justice
of the peace. L thought I'd be safe in put
ting in fair, liberal fee, knowing he'd
hand il back. It's true he gave it to her,
but il was all the same thing-I got it back
before shutdown. Then knew If he tied the
knot he couldn't go back on it. / think as
it has stood so well | ought to be con-
graduated on my good behavior. We've
shifted around a good deal, but / never
met q better people than this congregation.
When came in / was in doubt whether
10 tnhc VI uy ONcICUaty ds II 10 d llttie
chilly tonight. They told me to take it of
and if l got cold they'd make it warm for
me. didn't know how they were going
at it, though. During our married life we
have met with no great misfortune or be-
reavement. Last week all of our seven
children were at home together. We
thank you much for your testimonial, but
more for the spirit in which it was given
than for silver or gold or anything ma
terisl"
Bishop Fowler said that his excuse for
saying anything on this occasion was that
he had appointed DIR. Jackson pastor of
this church. He had never given anything
mere precious to any one than this. The
bishop felt more at home in this church
than anywhere in the world. Just at the
time when DR.. jackson stood up before the
speaker was pastor of this congregation.
He saw before him some persons whom he
from that time and Others
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